On May 1, 2020, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli, announced that certain businesses will be allowed to reopen on Monday, May 4, under strict safety guidelines. Premier Ford and Minister Fedeli were joined by Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott and Minister of Finance Rod Phillips.

Following this afternoon’s announcement, Premier Ford, Minister Phillips and Minister Fedeli responded to questions from media about Ontario’s economic recovery from COVID-19.

Later this afternoon, the Ontario government issued new temporary emergency orders to support the immediate needs of the province’s hospitals and health workers. The province also announced temporary relief for industrial and commercial electricity consumers.

Further Details

Certain Businesses Allowed to Reopen May 4

This afternoon Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli announced that certain Ontario businesses that can operate safely will be permitted to reopen next Monday, May 4.

The following, largely seasonal, workplaces will be permitted to reopen next week:

  • Garden centres and nurseries with curbside pick-up and delivery only;
  • Lawn care and landscaping;
  • Additional essential construction projects including those related to telecommunications, municipal projects, schools, and post-secondary institutions;
  • Automatic and self-serve car washes;
  • Auto dealerships, by appointment only.

Golf courses and marinas will also be permitted to begin preparations for their upcoming seasons but are not yet permitted to open to the public.

Businesses that are permitted to reopen on May 4 will be required to comply with public health measures by taking steps to physically distance staff and customers, put physical barriers in place, and provide contact-free services. Employers are encouraged to consult the sector-specific workplace guidelines announced yesterday to prepare for reopening and ensure the safety of workers, customers and the general public.

Premier Ford indicated that bylaw officers across the province will be leveraged in order to ensure that businesses comply with COVID-19 workplace safety guidelines. Premier Ford also indicated that the government will work to ensure that businesses have access to necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees.

Ontario’s Economic Recovery from COVID-19

Following this afternoon’s announcement, Premier Ford, Minister Phillips and Minister Fedeli responded to questions from media about Ontario’s economic recovery from COVID-19.

Ministers Fedeli and Phillips emphasized that Ontario’s Jobs and Recovery Committee is consulting with stakeholders across the province for input on next steps in the province’s economic recovery. The Ontario government is working with both the Jobs and Recovery Committee and the federal government in order to determine supports that will be necessary to help businesses and reinvigorate the economy.

Premier Ford also acknowledged the importance of providing child care in order to enable full economic participation by Canada’s workforce. He indicated that Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, is planning for this reality and taking into account the advice of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.

New Emergency Orders to Better Manage Health Care Resources

Later this afternoon, the Ontario government also issued new temporary emergency orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Actto support the immediate needs of the province’s hospitals and health care workers.

The new temporary emergency orders issued today will give hospitals the authority and flexibility to more quickly appoint, re-appoint, and grant privileges to staff, in order to address potential surge volumes due to COVID-19. They will also improve the ability to monitor the spread of COVID-19 by enabling coroners, registered nurses appointed as coroner investigators and public health units to access the provincial electronic health record.

Temporary Relief Measures for Industrial and Commercial Electricity Consumers

The Ontario government also issued an emergency order to defer a portion of Global Adjustment charges for industrial and commercial electricity consumers that do not participate in the Regulated Price Plan. This measure will provide temporary relief for these electricity consumers starting from April 2020.

This emergency order will be kept in place through the end of May and may be extended into June if necessary. Deferred costs will be recovered over a 12-month period, beginning in January 2021.